Applying for a dangerous goods (D) endorsement

Who needs a dangerous goods (D) endorsement?

If you’re transporting dangerous goods, you usually need to have a dangerous goods (D) endorsement on your driver licence.

A lot depends on what you’re transporting, how much of it and under what circumstances.

If you’re transporting dangerous goods for hire or reward (eg if you’re a transport operator or a courier), you will usually need a D endorsement. There are some exceptions, which are listed in clause 9.2 of Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005 (the rule).

If you’re transporting dangerous goods as tools-of-trade and the quantities are under the limits in schedule 1 of the rule, you don’t need a D endorsement.

If you’re transporting dangerous goods as tools-of-trade in quantities that are over the limits in schedule 1 of the rule, you will need a D endorsement, except for dangerous goods that are toxic to the aquatic environment and classified as UN 3077 or UN 3082, environmentally hazardous substances.

If you’re transporting dangerous goods for domestic or recreational purposes, you don’t need a D endorsement.